ATLANTA - "All we wanted to do was to give ordinary Georgians the same religious liberty protections in court that are enjoyed by 31 other states and people in federal institutions," State Senator Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) told 11Alive News on Thursday.

But he claims he's the victim of a calculated misunderstanding.

Sen. McKoon and State Representative Sam Teasley (R-Marietta) have both introduced bills to protect religious liberty.

They cite the case of Florida college student Ryan Rotela, who was disciplined for not stepping on the word "Jesus" during a class exercise, and Catholic groups, like the University of Notre Dame, who are suing over being forced to provide birth control under the new federal health care law.

But both bills, HB1023 and SB377, have run into a storm of protest, especially from gay rights groups, who fear they will allow people and businesses to discriminate against them on religious grounds.